Menu
10/07/2006
Paedophile sentence appeal rejected
Attorney General Lord Goldsmith has ruled that the sentence handed to a paedophile who abducted a three-year-old girl should not be referred to the Court of Appeal.
A row erupted over the sentence given to 24-year-old Craig Sweeney who kidnapped the child and sexually abused her earlier this year.
Sweeney was sentenced to life, but will be eligible to apply for parole in under six years.
The family of the child said that the sentence was "an insult".
Home Secretary John Reid wrote to the Attorney General, requesting him to consider referring the sentence to the Court of Appeal because it was "unduly lenient".
However, Lord Goldsmith ruled that Sweeney's sentence was not unduly lenient because the judge had followed guidelines and legislation before calculating the minimum term.
The child's mother said that she was "gut-wrenchingly sick" at the Attorney General's decision.
A Home Office spokesperson said that Mr Reid had made his views clear and stood by them. He said: "He is committed to protecting the public from violent and sexual offenders and remains concerned about sentencing arrangements.
"That is a concern which is shared by his colleagues, including the Attorney General, and they intend to make the necessary changes by reviewing the system."
Sweeney abducted the child from her home in Rumney, Cardiff on January 2. He took her to his flat in Newport and subjected her to a sexual assault.
The child was eventually discovered in Sweeney's car after he was chased by Wiltshire police when he was spotted driving erratically at speeds of up to 100mph with no lights on and jumping red lights.
(KMcA/SP)
A row erupted over the sentence given to 24-year-old Craig Sweeney who kidnapped the child and sexually abused her earlier this year.
Sweeney was sentenced to life, but will be eligible to apply for parole in under six years.
The family of the child said that the sentence was "an insult".
Home Secretary John Reid wrote to the Attorney General, requesting him to consider referring the sentence to the Court of Appeal because it was "unduly lenient".
However, Lord Goldsmith ruled that Sweeney's sentence was not unduly lenient because the judge had followed guidelines and legislation before calculating the minimum term.
The child's mother said that she was "gut-wrenchingly sick" at the Attorney General's decision.
A Home Office spokesperson said that Mr Reid had made his views clear and stood by them. He said: "He is committed to protecting the public from violent and sexual offenders and remains concerned about sentencing arrangements.
"That is a concern which is shared by his colleagues, including the Attorney General, and they intend to make the necessary changes by reviewing the system."
Sweeney abducted the child from her home in Rumney, Cardiff on January 2. He took her to his flat in Newport and subjected her to a sexual assault.
The child was eventually discovered in Sweeney's car after he was chased by Wiltshire police when he was spotted driving erratically at speeds of up to 100mph with no lights on and jumping red lights.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 June 2006
Goldsmith resists 'political pressure' in child sex sentence row
Attorney General Lord Goldsmith has said that he will not bow to political pressure in the row of a sentence handed down to a convicted child sex offender. Craig Sweeney, 24, from Newport, Wales was sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday after pleading guilty to the kidnap and sexual assault of a three-year-old girl in January.
Goldsmith resists 'political pressure' in child sex sentence row
Attorney General Lord Goldsmith has said that he will not bow to political pressure in the row of a sentence handed down to a convicted child sex offender. Craig Sweeney, 24, from Newport, Wales was sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday after pleading guilty to the kidnap and sexual assault of a three-year-old girl in January.
30 January 2007
Sentence increased for teenage killer
The teenage killer of schoolboy Joe Geeling has had his minimum sentence increased from 12 to 15 years. Michael Hamer, 15, was sentenced to life imprisonment at Manchester Crown Court last October, after pleading guilty to murder.
Sentence increased for teenage killer
The teenage killer of schoolboy Joe Geeling has had his minimum sentence increased from 12 to 15 years. Michael Hamer, 15, was sentenced to life imprisonment at Manchester Crown Court last October, after pleading guilty to murder.
05 May 2015
West Midlands Police Successfully Appeal 'Lenient' Sentence For Child Abuser
A 75-year-old man has been jailed for two years for a series of sex offences against children, after West Midlands Police appealed his suspended sentence.
West Midlands Police Successfully Appeal 'Lenient' Sentence For Child Abuser
A 75-year-old man has been jailed for two years for a series of sex offences against children, after West Midlands Police appealed his suspended sentence.
26 February 2014
Attorney General To Review Four-Year Sentence For Once Punch Killer
A four-year sentence given to a 20-year-old man for an unprovoked attack that killed Andrew Young is to be reviewed. Lewis Gill, of Sutton, south London, was jailed for the manslaughter of 40-year-old Andrew Young. Mr Gill punched Mr Young knocking him the ground, where he hit his head. He died a short time later in hospital.
Attorney General To Review Four-Year Sentence For Once Punch Killer
A four-year sentence given to a 20-year-old man for an unprovoked attack that killed Andrew Young is to be reviewed. Lewis Gill, of Sutton, south London, was jailed for the manslaughter of 40-year-old Andrew Young. Mr Gill punched Mr Young knocking him the ground, where he hit his head. He died a short time later in hospital.
18 June 2013
Attorney General To Review Stuart Hall Sentence
The 15-month sentence handed down to Stuart Hall, for 14 counts of sexual abuse of girls, is to be reviewed by the attorney general, following criticism that the term was 'unduly lenient'. 83-year-old hall pleaded guilty to 14 counts of indecent assault on 13 victims, one of which was just 9-years-olds.
Attorney General To Review Stuart Hall Sentence
The 15-month sentence handed down to Stuart Hall, for 14 counts of sexual abuse of girls, is to be reviewed by the attorney general, following criticism that the term was 'unduly lenient'. 83-year-old hall pleaded guilty to 14 counts of indecent assault on 13 victims, one of which was just 9-years-olds.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
